CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — The company that owns and operates Food Lion grocery stores is closing 25 groceries in Tennessee idling about 1,100 workers. The company is also reducing operations at a distribution center in Clinton near Knoxville.

Food Lion spokeswoman Christy Phillips-Brown says a severance package is being offered to eligible employees affected by the parent company's decision to close underperforming stores.